AFRL Coating Makes Publication's Top 100 Technologies List

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WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  AFRL, in conjunction with the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR), Boeing Phantom Works, Deft Coatings, and Warner Robins Air Logistics Center (WR-ALC), developed an environmentally safe corrosion-inhibiting coating for aluminum aircraft surfaces and structures. R&D Magazine subsequently named this coating one of the 100 most technologically significant products of 2006. This honor, which appeared in the September 2007 issue, highlights the accomplishments of AFRL's scientists and engineers, as well as their successful commercial partnerships. It also furthers AFRL's reputation as a leader in technological advancements that aid not only the Air Force (AF), but the civilian community as well. 

R&D [Research and Development] Magazine first bestowed this award in 1963 and has since made it an annual practice to honor each subsequent year's 100 most technologically significant new concepts. The award focuses specifically on products or processes that change people's lives for the better, improve the standard of living for large numbers of people, save lives, promote good health, and/or clean up the environment. 

The newly developed coating, which protects both aircraft painters and the environment from exposure to hazardous materials, stems from years of research. AFRL sponsorship began in 1992, with funding of a UMR research grant investigating the viability of rare earth compounds to inhibit corrosion in aluminum alloys. In 1999, having overseen several years of promising exploration in this vein, AFRL initiated an R&D program with the university. This program succeeded in developing a unique chrome-free corrosion inhibitor that eventually evolved into various paint formulations and a primer coating. During simulated corrosion assessments conducted at Boeing Phantom Works, the coating proved itself just as effective as the chromate-based coatings in use at the time. Chromates (i.e., hexavalent chromium compounds) are harmful to the environment and personnel alike. They produce hazardous wastes and are known carcinogens (i.e., cancer-causing substances). 

Following the successful assessments, UMR partnered with manufacturer Deft Coatings (Irvine, California) and ultimately licensed the technology for production. The F-15 Systems Group at WR-ALC became interested in using the nonchromate primer to reduce hazardous wastes and personnel exposure. As a trial, WR-ALC technicians painted a Boeing production model F-15C with the environmentally compliant primer. The F-15 Systems Group subsequently approved the coating's use, marking the F-15 as the first aircraft in the AF fleet to use a non-chromate-containing primer coating.